[Law Firm Now] Sejong Successfully Holds Seminar on "Changing Tax Environment and Corporate Response Directions"

Experts from Government, Academia, and Industry Gather in One Place

The seminar organized by Sejong Law Firm (Managing Partner Oh Jonghan) to propose corporate response strategies to changes in the tax environment has concluded successfully.

On the 15th, Sejong announced that it had successfully wrapped up the seminar titled "Changing Tax Environment and Corporate Response Directions," held the previous day at the seminar room on the 24th floor of Sejong Grande Seoul.

On the 15th, a comprehensive discussion took place during the seminar titled "Changing Tax Environment and Corporate Response Strategies" held in the seminar room on the 24th floor of Grand Seoul, Sejong. From left to right: Oh Hyuk, Senior Foreign Attorney; Kim Byungkyu, Advisor; Lim Sungbin, Advisor; No Miri, Professor at Dong-A University Law School; and Lee Changhee, Advisor. Law Firm Sejong

The seminar brought together over 80 corporate representatives and featured experts from the government, academia, and the industry as speakers and panelists. In-depth discussions centered around recent trends and major practical issues in tax audits and tax disputes, as well as international taxation and customs duties.

During the first session, attorney Kim Min, who previously served as head of the Investigation Bureau and Litigation Bureau at the Seoul Regional Tax Office and as team leader of the International Taxation Team at the National Tax Service, along with CPA Yoon Geunhee, who worked in the trial division and adjustment office of the Tax Tribunal, gave presentations on the topic of "Trends in Tax Audits and Tax Disputes."

Attorney Kim emphasized, "Since the National Tax Service is focusing its investigative resources on sophisticated offshore tax evasion and asset concealment, it is crucial to proactively manage risks related to residency determination and transactions with local overseas subsidiaries."

CPA Yoon stated, "The environment for tax disputes is rapidly changing, with reform measures recently announced for the Tax Tribunal. It is essential to closely examine procedural errors at each stage of disposition and to develop appeal strategies accordingly."

In the second session, attorney Yoon Junseok, who handled numerous tax cases at the Seoul Administrative Court’s tax division and holds a PhD in tax law from Seoul National University Law School, and attorney Baek Hyeyoung, former foreign exchange inspector at the Seoul Main Customs Office and former deputy director of the WCO Asia-Pacific Regional Intelligence Liaison Office, delivered presentations on "The Horizon of International Taxation and Trump Tariffs."

Attorney Yoon noted, "Since the global minimum tax has already become reality, a proactive review is necessary for jurisdictions with an effective tax rate of less than 15%." Attorney Baek explained, "Comprehensive tariffs based on IEEPA (International Emergency Economic Powers Act) have been partially constrained, but itemized tariffs and investigation-based tariffs are showing a trend toward prolongation. It is important to manage risks in anticipation of shifts in customs administration, such as stronger monitoring of circumvention of origin-based export regulations."

The ensuing comprehensive panel discussion was moderated by Lee Changhee, a leading expert in tax law, honorary professor at Seoul National University Law School, and head of the Corporate Strategy and Tax Center.

The discussion panel included Professor No Miri of Dong-A University Law School; Advisor Lim Sungbin, former Commissioner of the Seoul Regional Tax Office and former Director of the Fourth Investigation Bureau; Advisor Kim Byungkyu, who served as Director General for Tax Policy at the Ministry of Economy and Finance and Standing Member of the Tax Tribunal; and Senior Foreign Attorney Oh Hyuk, who has worked on a broad range of cross-border tax advisory matters at Deloitte USA and Kwangjang Law. They discussed from multiple perspectives the tax risks faced by corporations and strategies for response.

Chair Lee stated, "The tax environment that companies face is undergoing comprehensive changes, from tax audits and disputes to international taxation and customs. It is more important than ever to ensure procedural legitimacy and manage risks proactively at every stage, going beyond post-hoc responses. Integrated support from experts covering legislation, administration, and judiciary is essential at this juncture."

Managing Partner Baek Jehŭm remarked, "The tax environment confronting companies today is indeed a time of great upheaval. Proactive risk management and strategic response to tax risks are now central tasks that go beyond mere cost reduction and are directly connected to corporate competitiveness and sustainable growth."

He continued, "Sejong will continue to serve as a steadfast partner, leveraging our accumulated experience and expertise to provide companies with optimal solutions for effectively addressing tax issues."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.